A motorway service station is not the subject I would normally post on, but Gloucester on the M5 is different from every other service station I have ever visited. No fast food, no chain restaurants or coffee shops. It originated as a small cafe built by a local farmer on his land through which the new motorway passed. The cafe served local food, much coming from the farm itself.
The new service station opened in 2014 as a partnership between the farm and a local community trust. It has a farm shop selling local produce, a butchery selling local meat and a cafe serving homemade food. Part of the profit is fed back into local community projects. It is also light and airy and has a very different atmosphere to the usual service station.
If passing that way I would encourage you to stop and support this community-based project, have a drink, something to eat and relax before continuing on your journey.
From here it was back to London via Oxford due to the closure of the M4. Our 2019 journey through the West Country at an end. But a great final breakfast at Gloucester Services to send us on our way.
Pete's Favourite Things 